2 minute drill

For the next 2 minutes I will list things I like...in no certain order...

1. hummingbirds
2. popcorn
3. movies
4. photographs
5. creative writing
6. connecting with people
7. pens
8. the color green
9. jelly beans
10. small but well appointed houses
11. small cars
12. simple things
13. laughing with friends
14. "being" with family
15. a tidy house
16. clean toilets
17. children who laugh often
18. being smart
19. being witty
20. being with smart and witty people
21. people who are authentic
22. tv shows
23. my Mont Blanc pen
24. my engagement ring
25. coaching people
26. feeling confident
27. beer
28. the smell of a rose
29. the taste of cherries
30. a 'just so' blanket
31. snuggling with my son
32. speaking like an adult with my daughter
33. the "knowing" that my kids are going to be ok no matter what
34. being honest
35. dolphins
36. sunsets
37. days with nothing to do
38. days with something to do
39. feeling purposeful
40. my parents
41. memories of our d.i.n.k. days
42. coats
43. funky jewelry
44. warm sun on my face

DONE

You know you're doing something right....

...when both of your kids start sobbing when the meanies kill King Kong (1976 version).

It turned out to be a teachable moment for my daughter (who knows what my husband "taught" my son while consoling him). I talked through with her how some people are greedy and will stop at nothing to make a buck (aka using King Kong as a 'circus act'). That people will lie and agree "not to kill Kong" even when they know that they will. That some people cannot see that there is good in everything and everyone and if you can respect them for their differences and not 'abuse them'...life is better. My daughter enjoyed talking about this stuff and actually applied this to a real life scenario in her world. Some of her classmates are making fun of a smart kid in her class who asks a lot of questions. She feels awkward about their behavior and deeply believes that it isn't right. As a mom, I feel for the 'onlookers' (my daughter) of such behavior because they a) may wonder if they'll be next b) wonder if they don't participate, what will happen to them then. Right now things are fine...but I will keep my eyes and ears open. I was subjected to bullying in 8th grade and it sucked. Luckily I KNEW that they were "little people" and wouldn't let them get to me. I am hopeful that my daughter has the same 'inner knowledge' when navigating life as a student in today's school system.

On a totally different note. If I were a movie critic, I'd recommend that Jessica Lange, Jeff Bridges, and King Kong (and everyone else in the film) NOT put this movie on their resume...not stellar acting in my opinion. Also, Mr. Kong needs a toothbrush...I'm just saying.

Gratitude X 10

1. Sleep
2. Summer-like weather
3. Chats with friends
4. My marriage
5. Spontaneity
6. My health
7. Checking things off my list
8. Free time
9. One-on-one time with my kids
10. Pictures of my kids

I had a hard time generating this list which makes me think I would like to live in the moment more and appreciate more...that is my goal for this week.

Droopy eyes

I am very sleeeepy but still trying to participate in life...exercise, shopping, errands, picnic with family...but my mind is moving toward thoughts of my cozy bed. Toothpicks are needed for my eyelids.

Geep

I had an idea for another post today but then I was reminded of the fact that is is 9/11...and then I was reminded of how I was personally affected by that day...and then I smiled as I thought of Gerald P. Fischer (aka Geep).

He was my second real boss in life and he was a mix of adorable, frustrating, compassionate, brilliant and everything in between. I'm thinking "nutty professor" is a term that might befit him. I worked under his leadership at Booz Allen and Hamilton where I was cutting my teeth as a real-life Management Consultant. He was scattered, messy, flighty, warm, generous, insightful and with all that mixed together he endeared himself to people. He was as genuine as you could get and he didn't make excuses for his limitations he was just what he was and often you'd find yourself saying...that's "just Geep".


I left Booz Allen in 1996 to move to London and then to move to San Francisco. That is where I got the call a few days after 9/11 from my friend from "way back when" who told me that Geep was at the wrong place at the wrong time. He was at the Pentagon in a meeting with an Army client when the building was struck and he unfortunately did not survive. What a twist of fate because really, that wasn't his place of work...he worked in a totally different area in DC (Tyson's Corner) and it just so happened that on his day he was where he was. As I had been processing the tragedy from the days before I had marveled and found myself feeling lucky that I didn't know anyone who had been killed....and then I found out that I was wrong.



Although Geep is gone, and although after a while he wasn't a big part of my life...I smile when I think of him...when someone endears themselves to you, you can't help but get a lift in you face and your heart. He was a good man, with a good heart and he looked a little like this (no offense Geep). I have an almost daily reminder of Geep because for a wedding gift he gave us a bagel cutter...whenever I'm making breakfast for myself or others I am reminded of "my Geep" and I smile and I look up and I say...thank you Geep for being a part of my life (as crazy as it was then).



A fellow colleague wrote this today on facebook...and this even makes my memory of him more solid and warm and cozy...

I remember my old boss Geep Fisher, and his Devil May Care attitude. It was his wife's birthday, and he had sent her flowers. She couldn't reach him to thank him, b/c he had gone to a meeting at the Pentagon. The night before, he had told a coworker, "We're all living on borrowed time."

This memory of Geep helps to remind me that people who come and go in our lives are really still with us...and as we remember them, if we can 'visit them' in love and joy...they live on and their influence and impact can remain as pure and loving as it was when it was felt in person.

Miss you Geep!

On the 9s

9/9/09 was our 14th anniversary.

I'm going to assume that we are going to have a lucky year for those numbers. We started "the year" out just right with a yummy dinner out and a great time together.

I've 'charged' my husband to plan an AWESOME trip for next year (our 15th). It may sound like I am bossy to make him plan it versus doing it myself...but I know my husband and in fact HE LOVES to research destinations and figure it all out. That is how we spent 6 weeks in Southeast Asia having a blast...scuba diving in Thailand, Shopping in Bangkok, seeing Orangutans in Borneo and the such. So...yeah us, we'll do something awesome next year (more of a week jaunt vs. 6 weeks sadly).

Here's to us...and beating the odds for yet another year! Hang in there baby!

For the birds

Today on a 4 mile walk with my friend I saw 2 dead birds (one that had possibly also met a vulture in its rigor mortis). My friend said she saw 2 up by her house. Why the dead birds? Please let it be a fluke and not the West Nile, or Avian Flu because right now my thoughts are focused on Swines.

Birds, swines AND mosquitos will send me into orbit.